Winter Sailing

jpeter · Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 350

Donwh, My progression in cold suits:

Oneill Oasis (wore thru two 80's and 90's)

Bare baggy top (Hated it, always sweat or cold, wrist and neck gaskets not comfy and they wore out.)

Oneill Mutant wetsuit 5/4 (still use them, built in hood or neck hole is great)

Ripcurl flashbomb 5.5/4 (My real cold weather suit, built in hood, drier than any drysuit I ever owned, the 5.5 goes all the way down to the ankles)

Would never go back to drysuits. I don't winter sail below 45 deg air, but sup surf in the 20's.

JP

DrWind · Joined: 17 Jul 1994 Posts: 467

Winter for me is the best season. Winds are strong especially after a arctic front passage or during a noreaster.

Just finished uploading the video I took this past Tuesday, from Colt State Park in Bristol, RI. Had rigged the 3.2 as the winds were gusting to the mid 50s when I arrived. Dropped down a bit once I got out on the water, so I was a bit underpowered at times. Air temp was 20F, water ~37F. Note the ice build up in the first part of the video. Nice glaze, camera starts to ice up. Surprised the GoPro battery lasted as long as it did. Was never cold and no pulsating hand pain. Had to wash my car when I got home. It was covered in salt. Great day!

https://youtu.be/atiAgjcBrYQ

Lars

dcharlton · Joined: 24 Apr 2002 Posts: 414

Lars, you are 'da man!' 20 degrees is just a bridge too far for me. I usually draw the line at 38 degrees.

How often do you sail colt state park? Is that good year round or just winter?

DC

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10548

Sailing port on the inside was definitely the highlight of your video. Very fun stuff.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5278 Location: East Bay

Normal summer air..around 57, and water..53..for the past 2 weeks.
Berkeley Ca. and major drought.

DrWind · Joined: 17 Jul 1994 Posts: 467

Another arctic front passage, March 11, 2021.

Started on my Seatrend

https://youtu.be/utsGjn5C6Q0

and then switched to my Naish.

https://youtu.be/tauHGtf92Wg

Lars

DrWind · Joined: 17 Jul 1994 Posts: 467

Dave,

In regards to Colt State Park, I have not been here in a while. I was originally onroute to Chapin on the Cape, but noticed what winds were cranking down in Bristol, RI so headed there instead. Usually sail here when winds are forecasted to blow in Upper Narragansett Bay, which usually happens in the Spring when the winds on the coast are impeded by a temperature inversion.

I also sail at Conimicut as well.

Lars

donwh · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 139

Lars, I noticed you sailing on Monday with no gloves. WC was like 15 deg. F, how do your hands not get cold? Are you of this earth? Very Happy